Customizing your low-end bass

[Metalmaster6254]

Do you believe in doing this ? I was thinking of doing this to my low end bass, such as changing the pickups,strings,bridge, etc. Just making it sound amazing. What do you think ? Also while im at it, what do you think of the duncun sb-3 p bass puckup ? Thanks

 

[JimmyM]

I'm never a fan of changing anything if it's working for you, but I've gotten a couple basses that required it, so that's a case by case basis. I'll say, though, that modding a $200 bass with $400 worth of parts doesn't make it a $600 bass, so if you do it, forget about making money from it.

 

[mattyb5000]

You can do anything you want -- have at it!

 

[madjazzbass]

Hell, I've done it with a fender FSR , and I'm probably gonna do it again with a Essex/SX Jazz Bass as soon as I find the right neck for it.

 

[Jazz Ad]

No opinion about doing mods. The sb-3 is an honest-to-God pickup but it doesn't sound amazing.

 

[Mediocrity Man]

Just did some mods to my Fender FSR and it was well worth it. For an extra $200 it really made a difference.

If you love the instrument already then there's no loss in my humble opinion.

 

[2saddleslab]

I'm never a fan of changing anything if it's working for you, but I've gotten a couple basses that required it, so that's a case by case basis. I'll say, though, that modding a $200 bass with $400 worth of parts doesn't make it a $600 bass, so if you do it, forget about making money from it.

^This.
Here's an example of the need to upgrade, TV Jones PU's are a vast improvement over the originals. $5.00 shine on a $2.00 pair of shoes? Well, not sure [or care] of the monetary value but it plays great, sounds huge, and looks better than ever. So for me, well worth it.

 

[Kevin aka Kebo]

Few things... Regarding a cheaper bass
* Changing strings IS NOT a mod
* Modding the shi* out of a bass to make it work for you is throwing good money after bad - its just the wrong bass for you
* There are some AMAZING upgrades you can do on the cheap.. ie: A Japan or Mexi Fender - change the pots and o/p jack. Wanna add an onboard pre? Why not get an Aggie/Pensa/Sadowsky/MXR stomp box pre amp and keep it for all your basses. Tuners - unless theyre slipping or you need a drop d, why swap em?

A mid price bass - I havent seen too many great mods for a G&L, Musicman etc.. I've seen some decent MM pickups but thats not a major swap..

Another misconception is its the bass, the reality, its the amp....

 

[Mike A]

All spot on, Kebo!

I'm working on a MIM Jazz project now. It was a great bass before I started... probably one of the best playing Jazzes I've owned, oddly enough. I dropped about $150 in electronics to put into it, stripped all the finish off and it hits the milling machine at lunchtime today. Do I expect that value to be added to the bass? No way... I'm killing the value for nearly anyone but myself, but that's why I'm doing it. Because I WANT to. She's also staying a beater bass. I tend to enjoy playing them more when I don't have to worry about dents & dings.

 

[Kaa]

I swapped out the tuners for lighter weight ones, and the electronics because I found some that made a noticeable difference on my SX SS P bass. Tuners + guts = $75.00. Now it plays fine and sounds good, and I really didn't' spend all that much on the whole shebang. ($125.00 on the bass itself.)

 

[JimmyThunder]

It's an extremely rewarding hobby where you will learn a lot. About guitars, about engineering in general, about electronics and wood in general, and about patience.

I would rather play a cheap bass that I put (some money) in parts and hours of my own labor into, than an off-the-rack $1000 bass any day of the week.